Faith In Action

2018-2019 “Retired or Inspired? - Engaging the Bible’s Big Story”

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BI-MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2018

That’s our job too! Taking children The mission field is right here at Faith

Lutheran Church in the eyes and ears and hearts of our children. Faith is

caught more than it is taught. Children at Faith need to CATCH FAITH from

you. COME, be a ROLE MODEL for CHILDREN OF FAITH!

Now is the time when we are actively seeking AAA Role Models for our

programs. Folks are often intimidated by the idea – “I don’t know enough,”

they think. The truth is when you’re invited to help out – to be a shepherd in

SPARK, a small group leader for BYG or IGNITE, to teach or to help teach a

unit in SPARK – all we expect is that you will come and be yourself. AAA

Role Models are Authentic, Available and Affirming. Lesson plans are

provided. Miracles are not expected. After all miracles are God’s job and

we’re just people.

Soon the halls of Faith Lutheran will be bustling with the sounds of the feet of

our children on the way to their classes. They come not knowing what they

will find. Their parents send them in hopes that their faith will be engaged and

grow. While here they meet AAA Adults (those who are authentic, available

and affirming). Stories are shared - relationships are built - faith is engaged.

Children’s Ministry

Raising up children to follow Jesus is all about making disciples. Jesus called

his first disciples – “COME FOLLOW ME,” he said. Later, after they knew

him better he said, “GO, MAKE DISCIPLES . . . baptize them and teach

them . . . and remember, I am with you always.”.

Mary Toufar

Rally Day Event

September 9th

Plans for Rally Day are just

beginning to take shape.

Volunteers are welcome —

Planners for before the day

Food providers, Food servers

(popcorn & mini-donuts),

Activity leaders, and

Miscellaneous help on the day.

Watch for more information

coming soon.

Sign up on the bulletin board

Questions or to volunteer

contact Mary Toufar:

maryt@waconiafaithlutheran.com

THINGS to Know About SPARK SPARK is essentially Sunday School, but it doesn’t meet just on

Sundays anymore. SPARK is for children 3 years old (by September 1st) – 4th grade Families can choose to enroll in SUNDAY SPARK or

WEDNESDAY SPARK – they are alike in content. Sunday mornings either at 8:30 or 10:00 am – or, Wednesday

afternoons at 5:00 pm. Wednesday SPARK begins in the Community Room and then

go to classrooms. Sunday SPARK students begin in worship with their parents They’ll be dismissed to SPARK with large group first then to

classrooms. Many volunteers are critical to the success of the SPARK

program

SPARK begins on Wednesday, September 12th OR on Sunday, September 16th Register ONLINE @ www.waconiafaithlutheran.com Questions contact Mary Toufar: maryt@waconiafaithlutheran.com

B.Y.G. - 5th - 6th Grade Bridge Youth Group / B.Y.G. is pronounced BIG

Things to Know About BYG B.Y.G. is designed specifically with the “tweens” in mind.

They form a Bridge that connects SPARK (Sunday School) to IGNITE(Confirmation)

They’d much rather be BYG kids than little kids and we celebrate them with their own time and place.

This year is an Old Testament Year for BYG

BYG meets at 7:00 pm in the Community Room at Faith

BYG students hear Bible stories in narrative order – Creation, Flood, Abraham, Isaac, etc.

The BYG hour begins in large group – story presented in video format

Followed by some teaching on what that story means for us

The BYG hour ends in small groups in classrooms where they build relationships

At BYG students discover that praying for one another can be very meaningful

Volunteer group leaders are critical to the success of BYG

BYG begins on Wednesday, September 12th BYG Small Group Guide training on Wednesday, September 5th Register online @ www.waconiafaithlutheran.com

Questions contact Mary Toufar: maryt@waconiafaithlutheran.com

Scripture, Prayer and Relationships for Kids.

PreK – 4th

Grade THINGS to Know About Kids’ Club & Kids’ Club Choir Most children that register for Kids’ Club ALSO register for

SPARK Kids’ Club is an after school program that meets at 4:00 pm on

Tuesdays. Children that come to Kids’ Club get to know each other well. It’s a smaller group and more intimate than SPARK The program includes a snack, Bible Stories and time for games or

crafts. The Kids’ Club choir practices from 5:30 until 6:00 pm each

Tuesday The Kids’ Club Choir sings in worship about once each month. Children can register just for Kids’ Club or just for the Choir Those that register for both have a meal between (5:00 – 6:30)

provided by the families

Kid’s Club begins on Tuesday, September 18th Register ONLINE @ www.waconiafaithlutheran.com Questions contact Mary Toufar: maryt@waconiafaithlutheran.com or Cadee Winnie: cadeewinnie31@hotmail.com

A Small Group Ministry for KIDS

B.Y.G. Events – 5th - 6th Grade

A Fun Event every so often throughout the year

BYG Kick-off Event—Sunday – September 8th

5:00 pm at FAITH LUTERAN FIRE PIT Hot dogs & S’mores + a variety of games to play with a

rubber chicken

Sign up for this BYG Event on your BYG Registration Adult companions are important for every BYG Event Questions: Contact maryt@waconiafaithlutheran.com

IGNITE Confirmation

Age Range: 7th-8th Grade Students

Day/Time: Wednesdays @ 7pm-8:15pm

Description: Confirmation is a great vehicle by which students can learn, ask questions and dig into the Bible, God and what it means to be a follower of Jesus. Students will begin the night with an engaging, fun large group where they will hear a message or teaching. Then students will move into their small groups that are led by caring adults who understand the importance of investing in student’s faith. This will be a night of fun, relevant and meaningful faith development, and personal growth for students and leaders!

Register online @ www.waconiafaithlutheran.com

If you’re interested in being an adult leader or more information contact Youth and Family Minister – Ally Klug @ 952.442.2101 or ally@waconiafaithlutheran.com

IGNITE: Applying our Faith

Age: 9th Grade Students

Day/Time: Sundays - Sept. 23rd—Oct. 14th, Oct. 28th-Nov. 11th @ 7pm-8:15pm

Description: This year is unlike the first two years of the program. This year you get to decide what you spend time thinking, talking, and learning about. You will still be focusing on the familiar areas of Bible, Church, and Service, but the format of your sessions will vary—from workshops, to classroom learning, to guided discussions, and more. For this final year, we will also be focusing on a fourth area of learning called Faithful Living, which actually encompasses all of the above.

Register online @ www.waconiafaithlutheran.com

If you’re interested in being an adult leader or more information contact Youth and Family Minister – Ally Klug @ 952.442.2101 or ally@waconiafaithlutheran.com

High School Ministry – H.S.M.

Age Range: 9th-12th Grade Students

Day/Time: Wednesdays @ 8:15pm-9:30pm

Start Date: Sept. 26th

Description: H.S.M. will be a weekly high-energy time of games, community and a relevant, engaging message. Whether you have a crazy amount of questions about God, the Bible, Jesus and the Church or you’re pretty confident in what you believe, H.S.M. is a place for you and your friends. We can’t wait to see you there!

Contact Youth and Family Minister Ally Klug @ 952.442.2101 or ally@waconiafaithlutheran.com for more information.

Kids Club kids get to share about their own lives with

their Kids Club friends

They become a family that plays together AND prays

together

Kids Club kids play games and have fun at their church

Kids Club kids share a meal together at 5:00. The meals are

provided by Kids Club families.

Eating a meal together adds depth to the Kids Club

community

Kids Club kids learn a variety of sung table graces

Kids Club kids and their families practice hospitality as

they prepare and serve meals

Kids Club Choir rehearses on Tuesdays from 5:30 - 6:00

pm in the sanctuary

Kids Club Choir sings in worship about once a month

Kids Club songs are fun and energetic

The congregation is always happy to hear the voices of

the Kids Club Choir

It is possible to register just for the choir and not for

Kids Club

Kids Club and Kids Club Choir begin on Tuesday,

September 18th

4:00 pm Kids Club w/ light dinner @ 5:00

5:30 pm Kids Club Choir Rehearsal

QUESTIONS? Contact

Children & Family Minister: Mary Toufar

maryt@waconiafaithlutheran.com

Kid’s Club Choir Director: Cadee Winnie

cadeewinnie31@hotmail.com

REGISTRATION ONLINE:

www.waconiafaithlutheran.com

Kids Club is an afterschool program on Tuesdays. It meets

at 4:00 at Faith.

Kids Club is a small group just for kids

It builds community that crosses boundaries of

neighborhood, school and age level

Kids Club kids get to know each other very well.

They talk about Bible stories in a small and intimate

group

Adults [18+]

H.S.M. is looking for genuine, caring adults interested and willing to invest in the lives of high school students. Students need and want (yes, want!) adults to be involved in their lives. It is extremely instrumental in a student’s continued faith development that adults make intentional efforts to connect and walk alongside them through high school. H.S.M. is looking for adults to help with the direct ministry; planning events, being at youth group, connecting with students in small groups or mentoring. There are also indirect ministry needs within H.S.M. – prayer for the ministry and students, set up/tear down, snacks/food prep, use of your resources (home, boat, yard, fire pit, etc.)

Again, students need and want you to invest in them!

If you’re interested (even a little) contact Youth

Possibilities and Powered by Faith The surveys and interviews have been completed and the reports are in. We still want to hear from you what you believe our ministry

priorities and mission goals should be, but we are ready to move into our next three year Powered by Faith stewardship campaign. We will

be assisted by Pastor Tom Jolivette from Kairos and Associates. Kairos is the church stewardship consulting company we are engaged

with. The Missional Assessment Profile (MAP) identifies four locations for churches on the overall “landscape”: stationary, nostalgic,

puzzled and possibilities. We at Faith find ourselves in the most desirable landscape “possibilities.” This landscape is well

positioned, allowing for a ministry to make bold decisions and advance their mission in new and renewed ways. This location

says, “Let’s get going” (for the full MAP report go to our website home page www.waconiafaithlutheran.com and click on Report &

Recommendation and MAP Survey Results).

At a meeting for all Faith members on Monday July 23rd Pastor Tom Jolivette gave the following report.

Based on the information provided through the MAP survey and personal interviews, the following recommendations are made

1.

Report & Recommendation and MAP

Survey Results

Financial Snapshot

Faith’s ministry partnerships are the efforts to work together with other congregations and ministries for the common mission of serving others. Public Safety Ministries, led by Pastor Dan Carlson, is dedicated to “serving those who protect.” Dan offers pastoral care and spiritual sup-port to police officers, fire fighters, public safety workers, and military personnel across the state of Minnesota.

is for Youth Camperships for

our young people heading out on trips, usually in the summer. Often

known as scholarships in the scholastic world, these funds are used to

offer MISSION SUPPORT for all who choose trips as a summer faith

formation option: Bible Camp, Mission Trips, ELCA Youth Gathering.

Join Us in September!

SAGES will visit the

Minneapolis Farmers

Market on Saturday,

September 8 to explore

everything it has to offer

from flowers, fruit, veggies

to honey, jams and much

more. We’ll meet at the

Faith Parking lot by 8:00

a.m. to ride the bus to the

Lyndale Avenue North site.

Bring your

appetite to sample

the delicious food

available and be

tempted by the

freshest of garden produce.

It’s fun just to walk around

and talk to the growers.

Please sign up in the Faith

lobby. The bus will cost

$10. After a few hours

we’ll drive by our partner

church, Redeemer

Lutheran Church, which is

nearby to see where it is

and what the

Library News

Tuesday Bible Study

neighborhood looks like.

We might even stop for

lunch on the way back.

Call Teresa Schmidt (612-

730-9450) or Christine

Austin-Roehler (952-442-

4751) if you have more

questions.

SAGES 55+ Progressive

Dinner is scheduled for

Sunday, October 14. A

social hour and appetizers

will be the held in Steiner

Hall beginning in the late

afternoon to mingle with

friends new and old. Small

groups will then meet in a

host’s home for dinner and

then return to Faith for

dessert. The home host

will provide an entrée with

others bringing an

appetizer, side dish or

dessert. Sign up in

September.

Announcements You are a Child of God… You are wonderfully made, dearly loved,

and precious in his sight. Before God made you, He knew you… there

is no one else like you!

BAPTISM CLASS IN AUGUST

On Thursday, August 16th st at 7:00PM a class will be held in

the Fireside Room, focusing on the rite of Holy Baptism and

how it is lived out in one’s life. Childcare can be provided if

requested when registering with the church office 952-442-

2101. Baptisms may be performed every 2nd and 4th Sunday

and on 5th Sunday’s when applicable.

ACOLYTE TRAINING Are you in 5th to 8th grade?

Would you like to serve as an acolyte about 3-4 times during

the school year at the 8:30 or 10:00 AM Sunday Worship

Service? If the answer is YES, we have an opportunity for

you!

An acolyte is a person who lights the candles on the

altar before a worship service begins and distinguishes

them after the worship service has ended.

We will be having an Acolyte Training on September 12

at 5:00 PM in the Sanctuary. Call Susie Watts at (952)

442-2101 if you are interested!

This can be a great service hour opportunity for 7th and 8th

graders!

Upcoming Event Looking for artificial trees to use at the Connections Fair! If you have an artificial tree that requires no set up, please let Susie Watts know by calling 952-442-2101. We

would like to use them to decorate Steiner Hall for the Connections Fair. We will need by September 13.

You may pick them up after September 20. Remember to put your name on them! Thanks!

September 16 and 19, 2018

Connections Fair Growing to Serve and Connect

Come and see all you can do to connect and serve!

Great opportunities for confirmationservice hours!

Bible Studies, Book Studies, Small Groups! And More!

REDEEMER FISHING People of Faith, you have an opportunity this summer to

make new friends with our partner in ministry Redeemer

Lutheran Church. Redeemer is located in the Harrison

neighborhood of N. Minneapolis. On Saturday, August 18,

we will be hosting our friends from Redeemer on Lake

Waconia. (The rain date will be Saturday, August 25). This

has become a yearly tradition offering new experiences to

adults and children who don't get to be on the water very

often. We will host from 9am - noon with a picnic lunch

being served. Pontoon/boat guides, bait helpers, and food

donations and servers are needed. If you are interested,

please sign up in the gathering space or visit Signup genius

here. Questions? Contact Quentin Knaak at 612-570-0525

4TH THURSDAY WOMEN’S BOOK CLUB

On Thursday, August 23rd, at 6:00 pm, we will have a salad supper at Lea Ann Burau’s home, 15625 78th Street, Mayer. Please bring a salad to share. After supper, we will make our next book selections for October through May. It’s helpful if you’d get your suggestions to Vickie Janzen via email, v.janzen@mchsi.com, by August 15th so she can compile the information. Include the title and author of the book, genre, and what the book is about briefly. Looking forward to seeing you then!

On Thursday, September 27th, we will discuss the memoir BORN A CRIME by Trevor Noah at 7:00 pm in the Fireside Room at Faith Lutheran Church. These are stories of growing up in South Africa during apartheid recounted by a mixed race man. He has a lot of insight in how apartheid was accomplished and how it affected the people living under it. It is entertaining as well as eye opening. Hope you can join us!

A Connections Fair is a gathering that generates awareness, enthusiasm, and involvement among Faith’s members as well as non-members, ultimately increasing ministry involvement. It recognizes the importance of all volunteer efforts. The Connections Fair is a wonderful way for the people at Faith to meet and gather information about the various ministries, committees, organizations, and educational

opportunities that are available within Faith’s community. Each ministry is show cased using a display at a table or booth. This event allows you to ask questions, discern your many gifts and talents, and learn how you can share your gifts within a particular ministry. This year our Connections Fair will take place on Sunday, September 16 in Steiner Hall and on Wednesday, September 19 in the gathering space. Take a look before or after the worship services!

Every year in the fall and early

spring, we have a Connections

Fair. (formally known at

Ministry Fair)

To Jim Bjelland and

Howard Lake for being a constant reminder, we need volunteers in the summer as well. Both come in at least once a week to help Carl,

our custodian, with various jobs around church! Thank you Jim and

Howard!

Improves Self Esteem

You are doing well for

others and the community,

which provides a natural

sense of accomplishment.

Your role as a volunteer

can also give you a sense of

pride and identity. In

addition, the better you feel

about yourself, the more

likely you are to have a

positive view of your life

and future goals.

Common Hope, Trip

We have an amazing mission trip opportunity through our

international ministry partner – Common Hope. A group from

Faith Lutheran will be traveling to Guatemala with Pastor Dale

on March 3-10, 2019. This trip will include many facets of

Common Hope’s work. We’ll build a house. We will do social

work visits. We’ll visit our sponsored children. We’ll venture

into the schools, and we’ll do a “day in the life” of a typical

family. We’ll visit rural villages and we’ll spend a lot of time in

the beautiful city of Antigua. We will also have time to do a

“cultural activity” and other fun things, in addition to the

mission work. This will be a life-changing trip and you will not

regret going!

Adults and teenagers fourteen and older are invited to

experience this transformational trip. All-inclusive expenses for

this trip are roughly $2500 per person. However, Common

Hope will assist us with fundraising to minimize that expense as

much as possible.

If this sounds exciting, I’d love to talk with you more about

it. We are limited to fifteen spots, and we already have a

significant number of those filled. So please contact me ASAP

if you’d like to hear more. Your presence will have an impact,

and you will be impacted!

For more information on Common Hope, our ministry

partner, please see their web site at HERE

Thanks,

Mary Fahrenkamp

612-590-3664

Y ou never know when God's grace is at work. It often touches our lives when we least expect it. In preparation for our last hosting, an FMF team of ten volunteer was shopping for groceries and

sharing our Families Moving Forward mission with someone in the grocery store. As he explained he was purchasing supplies for our families, the woman paused. She had been very close at one time to homelessness and knew how easily it is to be financially vulnerable. She might need these services some day so she offered to help contribute to the cost of the supplies knowing how important this ministry is to servicing families experiencing temporary homelessness. Her generosity and understanding embodies God's grace. We never know who God will work through right here in our community, among our friends and neighbors. It could be the volunteers who express love and support, our quests who embody patience and resilience, or you.

Find out how enriching volunteering can be. Please consider putting our next hosting dates on your

SEPTEMBER 16TH - SEPTEMBER 23RD

NOVEMBER 11TH - NOVEMBER 18TH

Watch for the Fall Handbook!

A small group book study for women.

Wednesday Mornings 10:30 am - Noon

Meets in Faith’s Fireside Room

Beginning September 19th

This group will be reading ‘3:16 The Numbers of Hope’ by Max Lucado

Details will be in the Fall Handbook and at www.waconiafaithlutheran.com